PSP Go lacks mini USB, compatibility with existing accessories, common sense

Confession time: we weren't exactly charmed by Sony's PSP Go when Sony made the thing official. It's not that we're particularly fond of UMD (quite the contrary as a matter of fact), rather we found it a little hard to stomach a slimmer device that offers nearly the same hardware as its predecessor, swapping an optical drive for more storage, yet will cost nearly twice as much. Factor in the cost of all new accessories and things get even less appealing, with confirmation that the Go lacks a standard mini USB port on top, meaning things like PSP keyboards and Sony's GPS accessory are on a fast-track to obsolescence. Even current A/V cables and chargers won't work thanks to a new multifunction port on the base -- but Sony will be quite happy to sell you new ones. Is this the price of progress, or an attempt to boost profit margins? It's not good news for gamers, regardless.

[Jonathan @ Jun 8th 2009 7:16AM]

I'm still shaking my head... how does this not have a touchscreen?

[Lloytron @ Jun 8th 2009 7:30AM]

It's because it is just an updated PSP, not a new console.

[tobz1000 @ Jun 8th 2009 7:36AM]

SECOND ANALOGUE WAT LULZ

[dsteve303 @ Jun 8th 2009 7:38AM]

Cause not everyone likes touching. It's makes things pretty hard.

[Tarnation @ Jun 8th 2009 7:51AM]

@dsteve303

Dude, reread your comment and give it a second to pass through the naughty sector of your brain. When you get it you will s*** bricks.

[Wwhat @ Jun 8th 2009 8:05AM]

@Tarnation
Shits bricks because he made some double meaning remarks? You must not know what the term means AND be from the bible belt.

Also he probably did that deliberate as a joke heh.

[y3k.nik @ Jun 8th 2009 8:18AM]

There goes my breakfast... time to get a new laptop..

[Eric AHAF @ Jun 8th 2009 9:58AM]

I say nay to touchscreen games.

[Junemas @ Jun 8th 2009 7:17AM]

Well that sucks, because it means having to pony up for Sony's proprietary Crap instead of using existing cables you have lying around. Also means buying all new accessories to use with the PSP Go.

[NickNick @ Jun 8th 2009 7:39AM]

No, it mean that you don't buy this device at all. simple.

[Smoke_me_a_Kipper @ Jun 8th 2009 7:41AM]

"proprietary "
Sony must lose this word out of their dictionaries. Otherwise they would dominate. The PSPgo will only appeal to fanboys.

[kal326 @ Jun 8th 2009 11:21AM]

@Smoke_me_a_Kipper

Probably too late since apple comes before proprietary in the dictionary and we all have a feeling where they got the idea from.

[MeowR- @ Jun 8th 2009 12:25PM]

@June

I think this is great. Drop the prices on the old PSP xD

[dishbreak @ Jun 8th 2009 10:27PM]

Well, it's not so surprising for Sony. They always use their own docks, batteries, and connectors. For goodness sake, they have their own flash memory!

Certainly, Sony believes it's a brand people aspire to own. But in an economy like this, people like that are getting fewer and fewer.

[dsteve303 @ Jun 8th 2009 7:20AM]

Boost Margins. Trust me, I know.

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jun 8th 2009 8:05AM]

@dsteve
I bet you're right, but unfortunately for Sony, PISSING PEOPLE OFF WITH PROPRIETARY CRAP will not boost profits. It'll only make them stick with the DS.

Get a grip, Sony.

[Wwhat @ Jun 8th 2009 8:10AM]

They could have added the mini USB too for compatibility and still have a move to their new connector by slowly encouraging people to start using that.

[Jay Voorhees @ Jun 8th 2009 9:10AM]

This is straight out of the apple play book. Each new itteration isn't compatable with anything and everything you bought for your previous device. People buy the new device, have to buy everything again...profit.

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jun 8th 2009 10:22AM]

@ Jay
You make a good point, but the PSP doesn't have near the market share the iPod has, so Sony won't be able to make that "play" work for this device like Apple's been able to do for the iPods/iPhone.

[evilspoons @ Jun 8th 2009 11:02AM]

*looks at the dock connector that's been on the bottom of every iPod since the third gen*

Whatnow?

Sure, they turned off Firewire charging, but that's a cost thing. The only stupidity I can think of is the whole video-out debacle, which is really dumb, but they've got NOTHING on Sony.

(Betamax, DAT, MiniDisc, ATRAC, ATRAC3, HiFD, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG, Memory Stick Micro, Memory Stick PRO-HG Micro, UMD, proprietary flash hotshoe on several Sony/Minolta cameras, a DIFFERENT proprietary hotshoe on many pro video cameras, rootkitted audio CDs, Memory Stick Voice recorder [msv] files, proprietary monitor connectors on older VAIO PCs, the upcoming TransferJet, their stupid e-Book reader, SACD, Blu-spec CD, yadda yadda yadda...)

[HyperHacker @ Jun 8th 2009 11:45AM]

Yeah, with Sony's history, does anyone really think they're NOT doing this just to make more money?

[Quikstep @ Jun 8th 2009 3:46PM]

@Jay Voorhees

Exactly. While I agree that this is crap, since Sony is doing this, they get slammed. Apple does it constantly and it's totally OK somehow. Right, Engadget?

[therealmusashi @ Jul 16th 2009 5:32AM]

@ Jay Voorhees "This is straight out of the apple play book."

No, it's not. Apple's stuff is proprietary, but they don't release new stuff that immediately invalidates existing peripherals or compatibility with older models. Get your accusations straight.

[Douglas Bailey @ Jun 8th 2009 7:21AM]

Something I don't get... if you have a game on UMD you can sell it second hand easy enough. Is this even possible if you've downloaded it? We've already heard that a game will be the same price either way you get it.

[Andrew @ Jun 8th 2009 7:51AM]

It may be a way to prevent second-hand sales of games which would in turn mean more sales of games. Confirmation on this would be nice.

[Doug @ Jun 8th 2009 4:19PM]

Honestly, I just don't see how this "download only" system is going to work. At best, you'll end up spending more money on the full-priced digital version which can't be resold. Meanwhile, normal PSP owners will still be able to buy price-dropped PSP based games, not to mention used games for much less. Um. What's the point of the Go again?

And from a piracy point of view, download only just seems like a bad idea as all you have to do now is crack the file to allow it be uploaded to any PSP an unlimited number of times. At least with the older PSP, you weren't allowed to upload executibles to it unless you hacked the PSP itself, which posed some dangers of its own. But since the PSP-Go is designed to only allow uploads, you're already half-way home. I'm sure the hackers and crackers of the world thank Sony for making their jobs that much simpler.

[rabyburns @ Jun 8th 2009 7:22AM]

that's why sony is on the way down, i don't even buy sony cameras now because of their stupid memory sticks

[Wwhat @ Jun 8th 2009 8:12AM]

I'm sure they use a popular game soon to sneakily piggyback an install of a 'security service' that disables all USB ports and SD card readers, to fix such issues.

[Sam @ Jun 8th 2009 7:22AM]

sony really in touch with the people here.

[Liam @ Jun 8th 2009 7:23AM]

Everything should have a mini USB port. Imagine if you only had to remember one cable, and it would charge and sync your phone, your mp3 player, your DS/PSP, pfft.

[Nomi @ Jun 8th 2009 8:41AM]

Miniusb doesn't offer enough pins to handle other functions then just charging and syncing. ie. Things like video out, or docking with media systems.

No one seems to complain when Apple or HTC use proprietary connectors...

[Eddie W @ Jun 8th 2009 8:52AM]

Actually, I don't like that Apple uses proprietary connectors... although my complaint with the ipod is more about how music gets on the device on the software side. Still, anything proprietary makes me less likely to purchase it. Consequently, I've hardly bought anything from Sony.

[Ryoga Vee @ Jun 8th 2009 9:25AM]

My psp 1000 works fine with all my mini usb cables. infact i think i lost the original, picked up another one layign anround and POW! back in day bizzznasss.

[THJ @ Jun 8th 2009 12:23PM]

This is the best Sony device I have ever owned (and I've owned a lot): http://bit.ly/19m8GZ [Amazon]

The lack of USB might be an attempted roadblock for installing cfw (though iirc, the 1000 and 2000 series cfw's didn't require a USB connection), but these proprietary connectors are a hugh PITA.

[Rik Feilden @ Jun 8th 2009 1:49PM]

HTC's continual use of a USB based headset connector is the source of endless (and entirely justified) bitching.

[Boards of Canada @ Jun 8th 2009 7:23AM]

Microsoft should release some mobile gaming device with older pc games. I would gladly pay 300$ for play Warcraft, starcraft, morrowind, neverwinter nights... on the go.

[John Branca @ Jun 8th 2009 7:29AM]

Yeah because Microsoft is known for their open hardware policies. Just look at the 360! I'm still waiting for a 360 hard drive that isn't ridiculously overpriced.

This article is sort of ridiculous for a couple reasons:
1. It doesn't cost twice as much as another PSP. The PSP 3000 is 170 dollars right now yes? How is 250 'nearly twice as much?'
2. People that actually upgrade from one PSP to another are rare, even if they are common on websites like Engadget, so ponying up for 'new' cables is rather irrelevant. Sure it's nice to use existing mini USB cables, I'll agree with that.

I know you're all for web site hits but I think all this sensationalist crap is a bit much.

[synn @ Jun 8th 2009 7:37AM]

@John Branca : Exactly.

Also,

1)unless I'm mistaken, the cables come bundled with the device.

2) No PSP 2000/ 3000 owner would sell their PSP and get this because it doesn't offer a big enough upgrade. It's clearly aimed at first time buyers.

In closing, I don't see why this is a big deal.

[Tarnation @ Jun 8th 2009 7:57AM]

Umm...I think they call them laptops. I would be willing to bet some of the games you mentioned might even play on an ION netbook. Microsoft wouldn't dare mess with the handheld market until they have successfully sold Natal and properly integrated Zune stuff with XBL. I don't see an Xbox Portable for a very long time.

[jon @ Jun 8th 2009 8:07AM]

@Synn

"It's clearly aimed at first time buyers."

You mean the huge untapped market that was putting off their purchase of a PSP until it got $80 more expensive.

IDK, I don't really get the whole portable gaming thing, then again I'm still rockin' my Xbox and PS2.

[-Tj- @ Jun 8th 2009 6:11PM]

I like the idea of Microsoft making a portable. I'd go for it. On top of that, if they were smart they'd pull their XNA community over with it. They don't have a lot of great exclusive IP to work with, but what they do have they could probably work with. They've already got the means to distribute digitally with XBLA. Note to Ms: dual analog sticks (+ d pad). DON'T get that one wrong!! And if they were really smart, they'd make it compatible with their own wireless control pads.

As for this whole PSPgo [crap], while pretty much all of us here think this is a bad idea (myself included), no doubt Sony's trying to work the area of the market we usually don't think about: casual, brainless consumers. Why I say "brainless" is because these are the folk who won't know (or care) about homebrew, let alone research it, converting movies to a format the PSP understands, buying GPS or other cool apps, etc... They just want something "cool" that "plays games" and is "small".

... Nope, trying to convince myself that Sony did a good thing with PSPgo by typing it out didn't work. This thing is crap.

[Kin @ Jun 15th 2009 10:22PM]

I call it!...


...

a netbook. Duh.

[Jamma @ Jun 8th 2009 7:25AM]

Ahh sony, never learning are you? if you wanted a different device, MAKE THE PSP GO DIFFERENT TO THE PSP!!!

Gamers don't mind paying for new peripherals and so on if they get something new, but this thing is a PSP with a 16GB memory card, something which can be bought anyway for a lot less money

Since developers are getting bored, bring out the PSP 2, put dual (Read: TWO) analog sticks on and add motion control,( maybe a touchscreen?) and THEN different accesories are acceptable

[Javanese @ Jun 8th 2009 7:32AM]

this is why i hope sony will burn in hell... They keep trying to control the market with proprietary hardwares.
Hopefully PS3 will fail spectacularly and send sony in the red (ala sega), and then we will see next gran turismo series be released on x360.

[John Branca @ Jun 8th 2009 7:34AM]

Actually Sony lets you use any USB keyboard, compatible bluetooth headset, USB drive, install your own HDD, etc, etc.

They are much more open than their competition, they're just borderline insane with their pricing.

I'm not exactly sure why you want them to burn in hell though, that's rather strong I'd say.

[Geir E @ Jun 8th 2009 7:51AM]

Sooooo... You want sony to die so Microsoft can rule the console world because you don't like companies that tries to control the marked with proprietary stuff? You know, the company that controls the OS marked, the office suite marked and the browser marked, and currently try to control the cellphone, pmp, media plugin for browser and the console marked? And Microsoft is always been well known for beeing open..?!?

[Zach @ Jun 9th 2009 7:39AM]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but last I checked Sony has other divisions in it's company (computers, tvs, etc...). I doubt the fail of the PS3/PSP will make it go into the 'red'. Now, if you're speaking of SCE, which is the subsidiary of the Sony corporation. It could be closed down but I doubt Sony would do so. It would probably just go back to the drawing board.

However, I wouldn't worry about the PS3 failing. It was released a full year after the 360, yet it is only 8 million units in overall sales behind Microsoft. As another bonus, the PS3 has done considerably better than the Xbox in several markets. With further PS3 exclusives coming soon, it's star is just on the rise. Besides, if you're mad about Gran Turismo not coming out on your Xbox, I'm equally mad that Mass Effect 2 is an Xbox exclusive. So this argument about controlling the market bears no weight with Sony alone. I mean, you're practically saying Microsoft hasn't tried to control the market which is ludicrous.

As for the PSP Go, I like the new style. I believe it's an upgrade in aesthetics over the original's. The fact you can download games means faster delivery from development to hardware which will make release dates come quicker. I doubt I'll purchase the PSPGo but I'm definitely interested with where the hardware will go from here.

[SONYEDDIE @ Jun 8th 2009 8:57AM]

360 can't handle Gran Turismo

[chef @ Jun 8th 2009 12:22PM]

Actually, I was thinking "no USB, WTF Sony DIAF", but then I thought about their batteries, so just give it time.

That said, I'm rather fond of my PS3.

[tsj5j @ Jun 8th 2009 12:24PM]

Excuse me if I'm wrong, Zach, but I think Sony IS relying heavily on their PS-series.

If I remember correctly, Sony attributed their retrenching of employees and poor annual revenue due to the loss of the popularity of their console.
PS2 made them alot of money - probably more than all other departments combined in its heyday.

With PS3 poised to fail and PSP Go fanboy-only-material, things aren't looking too bright for them.